Folding table hardware



Ot 15. 1940 R. F. MGMAHAN FOLDING TABLE HARDWARE Filed Aug. 27. 1936 /Qoy EMCMa//an Patented Oct. 15, ,1940

UNITED STATES-- PATENT yol-ElcE 2 Claims.

My invention relates to a table equipped with mechanisms organized to provide a pivot and locking means for each individual supporting leg, whereby the latter can be folded to the closed position, or extended, in relation to the table top to the open position, and locked in either the open or closed position. f

The primary object of the invention is to provide sturdy mechanisms of simple structure, not

l0 only for the legs of tables, known in the furniture industry as folding or card tables, but to simplify manufacture of the mechanisms and the tables.

A still further object of the invention contemplates an organization of metal and wood parts having superior enduring mechanical properties, the component parts of which can be readily produced expeditiously, assembled and nished to constitute the final product.

With the foregoing and other objects, which will be revealed as the description of the details of the construction proceeds and hereinafter claimed, it must be understood that changes from the selected embodiment of my invention can be indulged without departing from the scope of my invention.

-Drawing Figure `1 is a perspective view of the corner section of a folding table inverted to show the leg supporting mechanism, and the upper portion of a table leg in open or erected position; Fig. 2 is a similar view, enlarged and showing the leg in the closed or folded position; Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 3 3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 3; and Fig. 5 is a partial plan view of one face of the U shaped ferrule that is attached to leg I0. Structure represented by I2, consists of legs I3 and I4.

From each of these legs are lanced and formed angled tongues I5. There isv also an arm HI, lanced from leg Il, which is substantially 90 to leg I4 and parallel to leg I3. Botharm I4I and- 55 leg I3 areperforated to receive a shaft I6.' which I0 indicates the top portion of a forms the bearing for leg I0 by extending through similar and registering perforations in ferrule II, and necessarily through a hole in the leg. Obviously, this hole can be a bearing surface, or can be of a diameter s uflicient to provide clearance, 5

' as the metal parts can be'organized to suillce for the bearing. Holes I8 in leg I3 are axially disposed to holes 20, 2I in ferrule II, and receive a spring pressed locking pin 22; one hole I8 being employed for the erected or open position, note 10 Fig. 3, and another hole I8 for the closed position, note Fig. l.

Numeral 25 designates a table top, which is re` inforced by perimetric rails 26. 'I'he inside face of each rail is fashioned with a groove or slot 21, Il preferably in uniform relation, so that when the flangel is assembled to the top, al1 the grooves will fall in the same plane. The proportions, disposition and inter-relation of tongues I5 and grooves 2l, are so organized that when the as- 20 sembly is completed and secured to the rails by screws I9, as shown by the accompanying drawing, there results a very rigid and positive folding table mechanism that provides a definite alignment for the leg and a material reinforce- 25 ment of the table rails; thereby contributing to the stability of the complete table.

A locking pin 22 is fashioned with a head 22I,: diametrical lugs 29, and a tapered end to provide a compensating means when irregularities 30 and wear are encountered. To permit assembly of the ferrule and the plunger, as shown in Fig. 3, hole 2l has been notched as shown in Fig. 5 to admit lugs 29.

Open coiled helical spring 22 is threaded onto 35 the plunger as the plunger is inserted. This leaves the spring disposed between the lugs and the tapered end of the plunger. To transfer the spring to the position shown in Fig. 3, the plunger is rotated, and the spring temporarily secured, 40 as with pliers, whereupon the lugs ilrst spread the end of the outside coil, and then each coll seriatim until the spring is lodged as shown.

Operating lever 30 is fulcrumed to the ferrule at 3l by a free rivet, and is provided with an elongated hole, whlch embraces plunger 22 adjacent head 22|. This hole is sumciently large to pass lugs 29.

Further details of the lock structure, its merits 50 and operation are not believed important as same forms no part of this invention. During the fabrication of leg I0 a recess 22 is formed in leg I0, so as to permit free movement of the locking pin 22 and spring 2l. It will be understood that the 55 assembly of the locking pin and associated parts or secured to leg lll.

Operation Pressure on the free end of lever 30, which is at all times accessible, frees the tapered end of pin 22 from a hole Il and thereby unlocks the leg. thus permitting free movement of the latter to open or folded position. 'I'hus the table leg can be manipulated by one hand.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: 1

1. In a table, angularly connected side rails having aligned horizontal cuts extending longitudinally of and laterally into the inner faces thereof and adjacent the corners formed by the connected side rails, a leg supportinrbraclzet disposed in said corners and having mounting arms overlying said cuts and secured to and in contact with the inner faces of said rails, and rigid tongues extending laterally from said arms and lodged in said cuts, whereby said bracket is laterally from each arm substantially adjacent,

the outer'end thereof and lodged in the cut of the corresponding rail, and another rigid tongue extending laterally from one arm of said bracket substantially adjacent the corner formed by the connected arms and lodged in the cut of the corresponding rail, whereby said bracket is aligned with said rails and the rails are re-inforced at the said corners.

ROY F. McMAI-IAN. 

